Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,844, James R French, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
French James R.
S 15844
CONTENTS
Carded.

28.018
Connecticut
James R. French
of Bridgeport in the State of Conn who was a Pvt in the Conn commanded by Captain Wakeman of the Regt commanded by _____ in the Conn Troops time for 14 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $16 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Jan'y 1854 and Sear No or Y Tomlinson Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 32. $16.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4. 30. $333
$159.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by ED Burlock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 14
9333 1333 10666

I Samuel M. Wifford of the Town of Bridgeport in Fairfield County (now in court) Do testify & say that I served on guard in the Connecticut State Troops in the Revolutionary War six months at a place called Mutton Gate under Lieut. John Dodd - I was a Substitute in said Guard for one Brinnell - the within named Appleton was a sold- ier in said Guard during the aforesaid time which I served therein I know the fact that He served Six Months
Samuel M. Wifford
I Joseph Seely of Weston in Fairfield County (now in court) testify that I am acquainted with the within named Appleton & James R. Fre- nch I served with them in the United States Service in New York under Capt. Samuel Wakeman - all the officers of the company are dead - or I know of no one living - His service was in the year 1776 & he enlisted in the month of January or February. I cannot say how long said French was in the service - Joseph Seely
I Samuel Worden of the Town of Fairfield (now in court) being sworn testify & say that I am well acquainted with the within named James R. French & served with him three months in the Revolutionary War in the year 1776 under Capt. Samuel Wakeman. Samuel Seely was the first Lieutenant of said company & John Dodd Ensign all dead. I was enlisted at Fairfield by said Seely for three months & went to the city of New York where we were employed in building batteries & batteries & in standing guard - all the officers of the Regiment were discharged in March and prior to the death of my next of kin. I perfectly recollect the said James R. French & know that He was in the service in said Samuel Wakeman's company during the whole three months which I served therein. All the officers under whom we served are dead - I also recollect that Joseph Seely was in said company & I think Zachariah Say the said James R. French was in my mess
Samuel Worden
The above depositions of Samuel Worden Joseph Seely & Samuel M. Wifford Subscri- bed & sworn to in court & the same are part of the testimony & proceedings herein enrolled under my hand & seal of office Asst. R. S. Nichols, Clerk

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield } ss.
Bridgewater
On this 8 th day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Oyer and terminer for the District of Shalford in said County a now sitting James R. French a resident of Bridgewater in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged eighty four years, who being first sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
In the Month of January 1776 I entered into said Service by enlistment at Fairfield in Conn. into the Conn. State Troops under Samuel Wakeman of Weston in S d County (Captain) I enlisted for Four Months & went to New York where I served out said time as a Disbanded in S d Company under S d Wakeman. At the ex- piration of said four Months I again enlisted into the same Service at Shalford in said County under Capt George Benjamin (this was in the Summer of 1776) I enlisted for Six Months & served out my time in the State of New York & was dis- missed about Chatham These two periods of Service Ten Months I can prove by the testimony of Joseph S. Northwell of Woodbury in Litchfield County who is now in Court. Lachariah Sackett of Weston was with me in the Service under Wakeman reference may be had to his declaration to prove this if necessary in addition to the testimony of Northwell. Joseph Sackett was also with me & is present in court to prove the same.
Afterwards about the Month of September 1777 or 1778 I enlisted into said Service into the State Troops at Fair- field in S d Litchfield County (Conn.) for Three or four Months under Capt David Dimond I went to West Point where I served out my time - Capt Dimond & the rest went on North. I do not remember the names of any other officers - none do I know any witness to prove this period of Service one Nathan Packard & Benjamin Hall were said Fairfield. (was now dead) were with me. my memory is very much impaired & I become confused when I attempt to recollect dates I have endeavoured to find proof of this service but cannot.
In the year after my return I again enlisted into the State Troops at said Fairfield & served the United States Six Months on Grand Island under Lieut John Codd at the Grand House at a place called Nutt on same near the Beach opposite Long Island Shore. Said Nutt on Grand Island is the road dividing the Lands of Fairfield & Bridgeport (then Shalford) Samuel N. Lufford of S d Bridgeport was in the Grand & is now to prove this period of Service (Six Months) At the expiration of this period I again enlisted for

Served six months more under Daniel Gagey who had commanded of said Guard. David Jackson was a Ser- geant in said Guard but I do not know of any other living by whom I can prove this service. The time I have stated above is twenty five months all which I can swear to do. State that I served faithfully much more I was in the service more than four years but cannot state my service any more distinctly than I have or pro- duce any other testimony.
Given law at said Bridport Sept 11 th 1848. I have not any record of my age or document of service. Have always lived at said Bridport and am well acquainted with Daniel Gagey & Joseph Bachus both of said Bridport who can testify to my service city & State in my service.
The said James R. French hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
James R. French
We, Isaac Sherman a clergyman, residing in the town of Bridport and Stiles Nichols residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James R. French who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 84 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and date aforesaid.
Isaac Sherman Stiles Nichols
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interroga- tories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Isaac Sherman a clergyman who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in town of Bridport and that Stiles Nichols who has also signed to same, is a resident of the town of Bridport and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Wheelwright
I, R. S. Nichols Clerk of the above Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James R. French for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of _____ Office, this 8 th day of August 1832.
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
I John Wheelwright of Melrose of Middlesex do hereby certify that R. S. Nichols is Clerk of said Court and that the above is his sign attested with the seal of said Court annexed. John Wheelwright

I Filed My Last Judgment of the Court of Probate for the dismissal of In a good cause, where the nominal name witness who have testified in support of this application would prove to be false. Samuel Woodin Joseph Denny & Samuel N. Denny are credible witnesses, I filed My Last Judgment
Attest R. S. Nichols, Clerk.
State of Conn. Fairfield County December 12 th 1833. Personally appeared before the Court of Probate in & for Shafford District in said County, Doc. William B. Nash well known to be such at a Physician & man of truth & integrity & being sworn testified & says that he is a practicing Physician in the Town of Bridgeport & has attended the within named James R. French as his Physician during the year past of the deponent says that said James is now & has been for six months past unable to leave his house & from loss of memory & of all his faculties incapable of giving a deposition or of relating any circumstances or facts connected with his service in the Revolutionary War. his memory is the deponent does not hesitate to say that said James from loss of memory is unable to give a connected & satisfactory account of his services He further says that said James is a man of good character for truth so far as he knows & further saith not
James R. French Bridgeport Conn.
25 Sept 1833
Wm B. Nash
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Attest Mark Moore Judge

15844 INVALID.
File No. 15844
James A. Strunk
Pa. Nov 1882
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Feb 29/57 James B. French
14 w. Smith Feb. 66
Hon. G. Tomlinson
116.66 23.33 139.99
93.33 23.33 116.66

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

I Joseph L. Brumwell of the Town of Woodbury in Litchfield county being duly sworn depose & say that I was in the Service of the United States in the State of New York the Revolutionary War in the year 1776 for for two periods one of four months & one of six months enlisted at Fairfield under Lieut. Josiah Henshaw I went to New York & was under Samuel Wakeman the first four months & George Bryan in the second six months. of the company Who were the two captains, - James P. French of Bridgeport was with me during both of the above named periods & was in the Service I know the facts of his enlistment & came home with him after the first four months I went with him the second period.
I remember we came home the day after Christmas in 1776.
I further testify & say that Mr. John Beardsley from coming in said Bridgeport was in the Service with me in the same company during the period of six months above mentioned as a private.

and also Mr Thomas Snallon now living in Brierport in and with me in the same company during said period of six months I served the whole of that time I was well acquainted with all three of the above named persons who are now living & known to me Joseph F. Brothurst.
The above deposition of Joseph F. Brothurst subscribed & sworn to in open court before Felix Wheeler judge of the court of District within 30 days the 20th day of November & the same is part of the proceedings in the case of James R. French, cut-purse man only heard & deal of affairs. Attest R. S. Nichols, Clerk